Feline obesity takes its toll

Fat cats facing diabetes epidemic as feline obesity takes its toll

· Study shows one in 230 at risk from disease
· Pets getting too much food and not enough exercise

• Ian Sample, science correspondent
• The Guardian
• Tuesday August 7 2007

Britain's vast population of lethargic and over-fed cats is facing a diabetes epidemic as soaring rates of feline obesity take their toll on the animals' health, veterinarians warned yesterday.

The first UK-wide study of diabetes mellitus among house cats revealed that one in 230 are expected to develop the disease, with the most common species, the Burmese, at a far greater risk, with one in 57 affected.

The findings suggest diabetes is a greater health threat to the animals than over-active thyroid, previously the most common hormonal disorder affecting cats. Of the eight to nine million cats owned nationally, around 40,000 will have diabetes, the study's authors said.

Researchers believe the numbers mirror dramatic rises in feline diabetes recorded elsewhere, including a fivefold increase in the US over the past 30 years.

Lead scientist Danielle Gunn-Moore, a professor of feline medicine at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University, said the high level of obesity and diabetes was being driven by dramatic changes in cats' lifestyles, with the pets getting less exercise but more food than in recent decades.

"Cats used to roam free outside, but now many owners keep them indoors and instead of playing with them to keep them active, they just give them food whenever they miaow," said Prof Gunn-Moore.

The researchers studied veterinary records for 14,030 cats and found 61 had been diagnosed with diabetes. Questionnaires completed by the owners of 761 cats showed the greatest risk factors were being male, neutered and over 5kg (11lbs) in weight, the scientists report in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

Spotting the early signs can be difficult. As in humans, diabetes makes cats sleep, drink and urinate more often. "Sadly, we don't often get to see these cats until they have collapsed in a diabetic heap, and once the cat is in a coma, they are very hard to save," Prof Gunn-Moore said.

If caught early enough, feline diabetes can be treated by imposing a strict diet and exercise regime, but owners must be taught to administer twice-daily injections of insulin in the back of the animal's neck. The high cost of insulin means treatment bills can top £100 a month.

More nutritious cat food and better healthcare is contributing to the diabetes rates by creating a growing class of senior and geriatric cats, which are more susceptible to the disease.

The trend for more pedigree cats is also a factor, as owners are more reluctant to let them out for fear of them being stolen "They have little to do all day but eat, sleep and gain weight," Prof Gunn-Moore said.